The Olympic Games

Summer OlympicsSummer Olympicsand KCAA Junior and KCAA Junior

OlympicsOlympics

Once every four years, Once every four years, athletes from the athletes from the nations of the world nations of the world come together to come together to compete in a series compete in a series of athletic events of athletic events called the Olympic called the Olympic Games. Games.

The purpose of the The purpose of the international international athletic competition athletic competition is to bring athletes is to bring athletes together to compete together to compete and strive for and strive for excellence. excellence.

The Olympic symbol’s five rings The Olympic symbol’s five rings stand for Europe, Asia, stand for Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and Africa, Australia, and America.America.

The Olympic Games began in Olympia, Greece The Olympic Games began in Olympia, Greece more than 3,000 years ago in 776 B.C. These more than 3,000 years ago in 776 B.C. These games consisted of just a single sprint race games consisted of just a single sprint race (190 m). Soon, other contests were added to (190 m). Soon, other contests were added to the games such as chariot races, boxing, and the games such as chariot races, boxing, and

wrestling.wrestling.

The prize for The prize for winning was a crown winning was a crown of olive leaves.of olive leaves.

Every four years, a truce was called and all wars Every four years, a truce was called and all wars stopped for one month. Each Greek city-state sent stopped for one month. Each Greek city-state sent its best athletes to compete. But then, a Roman its best athletes to compete. But then, a Roman

emperor banned the games in 394 A.D. emperor banned the games in 394 A.D. For 1,500 years, there were no Olympic Games!For 1,500 years, there were no Olympic Games!

In 1829, a Frenchman In 1829, a Frenchman named Baron Pierre de named Baron Pierre de Coubertin had a dream Coubertin had a dream to bring the Olympics to bring the Olympics

back. back.

His dream was to bring His dream was to bring the people of the the people of the world together world together

through athletics. through athletics. His dream came true His dream came true and the first modern and the first modern Olympic Games were Olympic Games were held in Athens, held in Athens, Greece in 1896.Greece in 1896.

There have been changes since the days of There have been changes since the days of the ancient Olympics. There are now more the ancient Olympics. There are now more events, more countries participating, and events, more countries participating, and

more athletes competing. more athletes competing. Over 10, 500 athletes competed in 2008!Over 10, 500 athletes competed in 2008!

The Olympics are no The Olympics are no longer held in Greece longer held in Greece as they were in the as they were in the past. Each year a past. Each year a

different city is the different city is the host for the Olympic host for the Olympic

Games.Games.

The 2008 Summer Olympic The 2008 Summer Olympic Games were held in Games were held in Beijing, China. Beijing, China.

Now, the winner (first place) receives a gold Now, the winner (first place) receives a gold medal. The runner-up (second place) receives a medal. The runner-up (second place) receives a silver medal, and the second runner-up receives silver medal, and the second runner-up receives a bronze medal. This is their reward for the a bronze medal. This is their reward for the skill, discipline, courage, and the many years skill, discipline, courage, and the many years of hard work it took them to achieve athletic of hard work it took them to achieve athletic

excellence. excellence.

The Olympic motto The Olympic motto is “Swifter, is “Swifter,

higher, higher, stronger.” stronger.”

The torch flame The torch flame symbolizes this symbolizes this

motto.motto.

Summer SportsSummer Sports• AquaticsAquatics• ArcheryArchery• AthleticsAthletics• BadmintonBadminton• BaseballBaseball• BasketballBasketball• BoxingBoxing• Canoe/KayakCanoe/Kayak• CyclingCycling• EquestrianEquestrian• FencingFencing• FootballFootball

• GymnasticsGymnastics• HandballHandball• Hockey Hockey • JudoJudo• Modern PentathlonModern Pentathlon• RowingRowing• SailingSailing• ShootingShooting• SoftballSoftball• Table TennisTable Tennis• TriathlonTriathlon• VolleyballVolleyball• WeightliftingWeightlifting• WrestlingWrestling

AquaticsAquaticsSwimming, Diving, Synchronized Swimming, Swimming, Diving, Synchronized Swimming,

Water poloWater polo

AthleticsAthleticsTrack and field events Track and field events

Track EventsTrack EventsSprints Sprints (100m, 200m, (100m, 200m, 400m)400m)

HurdlesHurdles

Mile Mile

MarathonMarathon

WalkWalk

Race WalkRace Walk

RelayRelay

Field EventsField EventsHigh JumpHigh Jump

Triple Jump Triple Jump

Long JumpLong Jump

Shot put throwShot put throw

Javelin throwJavelin throw

Discus throwDiscus throw

Hammer throwHammer throw

Pole VaultPole Vault

Track events involve running events of Track events involve running events of different lengths. Many of the events are different lengths. Many of the events are held on a oval track. One lap around the held on a oval track. One lap around the

track is 400 m, therefore 2 laps around the track is 400 m, therefore 2 laps around the track is ? m, and a mile is ? laps and ? track is ? m, and a mile is ? laps and ?

m. m.

The mile is 4 laps around, The mile is 4 laps around, but in fact, it is 1,500 but in fact, it is 1,500 meters. It is called the meters. It is called the

metric mile. metric mile.

The shortest race is a The shortest race is a sprint 100m long. The sprint 100m long. The runners line up at the runners line up at the

starting line with their starting line with their feet braced on starting feet braced on starting blocks. Each runner is blocks. Each runner is

assigned a path called a assigned a path called a lane. lane.

The longer distance races, The longer distance races, require stamina, rather require stamina, rather than speed, such as the than speed, such as the

marathon. marathon.

Track EventsTrack Events

There are also hurdle There are also hurdle events, relay events, events, relay events, and walking events.and walking events.

Field events consist of throwing and jumping events Field events consist of throwing and jumping events as well as a combination of several events together. as well as a combination of several events together.

The throwing events involve objects of different The throwing events involve objects of different shape and size so the methods of throwing them are shape and size so the methods of throwing them are

all different. all different.

The shot put is a heavy metal ball. It is held above the shoulders and is pushed away from the body. The athlete stands inside a ring and must not step out of the ring as he or she heaves the shot.

The The hammerhammer is a heavy is a heavy ball and has a four-foot ball and has a four-foot wire and handle attached wire and handle attached to it. The thrower whirls to it. The thrower whirls around two times then around two times then releases the hammer. releases the hammer.

The throwing events involve:

Field EventsField Events

The javelin looks like The javelin looks like a spear. It is a long a spear. It is a long wooden stick with a wooden stick with a sharp metal point. sharp metal point. For the throw to For the throw to

qualify, the javelin qualify, the javelin must stick into the must stick into the

ground. ground.

The discus is a flat circular disk, shaped like a plate. The thrower stands in a circle and makes one and a half turns before releasing the discus. Like the shot putter, the thrower is disqualified if he/she steps out of the circle.

Some track and field events consist of more Some track and field events consist of more than one contest, such as the triathlon and than one contest, such as the triathlon and

pentathlon.pentathlon.

How many events does the How many events does the tritriathlon consist athlon consist of?of?

The triathlon consists of The triathlon consists of THREETHREE events! events! Swimming, biking, and running!Swimming, biking, and running!

Do you know anyone who has ever competed in Do you know anyone who has ever competed in a triathlon?a triathlon?

The most demanding track and field event in The most demanding track and field event in the Olympic Games is the decathlon for men the Olympic Games is the decathlon for men

and the heptathlon for women. and the heptathlon for women. How many events does the How many events does the

decadecathlon consist of? thlon consist of?

The decathlon requires the The decathlon requires the athlete to compete in athlete to compete in TENTEN different events different events held over a two day held over a two day period of time!period of time!

100m100m 400m400m High jumpHigh jump Long jumpLong jump Shot put throwShot put throw Discus throwDiscus throw Javelin throwJavelin throw 110 m hurdles110 m hurdles Pole vaultPole vault 1500m metric mile 1500m metric mile

How many events does the How many events does the heptaheptathlon consist of thlon consist of ??

The heptathlon requires The heptathlon requires the athlete to the athlete to compete in compete in SEVENSEVEN different events held different events held over a two day period over a two day period of time! of time!

100m hurdles100m hurdles 200m200m Shot put throwShot put throw High jumpHigh jump Long jumpLong jump Javelin throwJavelin throw 800m 800m

Other events in the Summer Olympic Games:Other events in the Summer Olympic Games:

FencingFencing

Canoe/Kayak

Gymnastics

Football

Table Tennis

Equestrian

Judo

Archery

Badminton

Cycling, Mountain bike

Boxing

Volleyball

King Chavez Arts and Athletics King Chavez Arts and Athletics 33stst Annual Junior Olympics Annual Junior Olympics

Olympic EventsOlympic EventsHula Hoop Hula Hoop

Frisbee ThrowFrisbee Throw

Basketball Shoot OutBasketball Shoot Out

50 yd. sprint50 yd. sprint

Soccer Shoot OutSoccer Shoot Out

Classroom Relay Classroom Relay

Clothes RelayClothes Relay

50 yd. hurdles50 yd. hurdles

The students can compete in a hula hoop competition. Can you hula hoop for a long

time?

To represent the Olympic discus throw, students can compete in a Frisbee throw.

The men’s Olympic discus weighs 4lbs

7oz. T

The women’s discus weighs 2lbs 3 oz.

That’s very heavy!

Mia Hamm of the USA battling with Hedge

Riise of Norway during the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia.

Norway went on to win the gold metal.

To represent the Olympic football event, students can compete in a soccer

shoot out.

To represent the To represent the Olympic sprint Olympic sprint

events, students can events, students can compete in a 50 yard compete in a 50 yard

sprint.sprint.

To represent the To represent the Olympic basketball Olympic basketball event, students can event, students can

compete in a compete in a basketball shoot off.basketball shoot off.

All students will compete in a classroom All students will compete in a classroom relay race. The relay is a team event in relay race. The relay is a team event in

which each participant completes part of the which each participant completes part of the total event. total event.

Each runner carries a baton and passes it to Each runner carries a baton and passes it to the next runner. A good exchange of the the next runner. A good exchange of the baton is as important as speed, and many baton is as important as speed, and many relays have been lost because of poor relays have been lost because of poor

exchange. exchange.

Hurdles are short barriers that runners must jump over as they run along their lanes. There are two distances in Olympics for hurdles: 110 m

for women and 400 m for both men and women. That’s a full lap of hurdles!

The Classroom Relay will include hurdle jumping and hula hoop stepping on

alternating legs of the relay race.

Good Luck Athletes!

““The important thing in the Olympic The important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking Games is not winning but taking

part. The essential thing in life part. The essential thing in life is not conquering, but fighting is not conquering, but fighting

well.”well.”Baron de Boubertin in The Olympic CreedBaron de Boubertin in The Olympic Creed

““I’m here to win, and I want my I’m here to win, and I want my friends to win, whether they are friends to win, whether they are Americans, Russians, anything.”Americans, Russians, anything.”

Ira Davis, American Track and Field AthleteIra Davis, American Track and Field Athlete